Trying to get on with life, but it is very difficult.  We have done a little sailing to take our minds off things, but Bertie's presence is always there.  We went sailing last weekend, and managed to anchor for the first time, off Thorness.  However to get there it involved sailing the whole length of the Solent, only to discover we couldn't get in to Haslar, so had to sail the whole length of the Solent to Thorness Bay. (Had spent previous night in Lymington).  Contacted Bucklers Hard on the Saturday, but no spaces, only on a mooring buoy, so we went up the Beaulieu river and picked up a buoy.  Turned out better than we thought it would.

went for a walk in Lymington to the marshes.

Thorness bay in the morning

tied to a buoy in the Beaulieu river

We have decided to get another dog.  The house is so empty and lonely (and tidy!) and we really miss the companionship and fun of having a dog.  We have just started looking, but cannot actually go and see one until after our trip back from France to collect the van.

 Life is not a box of chocolates!  Not been too good this month, hence has been difficult to comit to the blog. Last Saturday we had a little sail/float up the river.  It was quite warm and a nice change.  Little did I know what was coming.

We had to make the dreadful decision about Bertie.  On Tuesday we took him to the vet and his was put to sleep.  Life was getting so difficult for him and he was becoming more and more stressed.  The doggy stroller was now just a wheelchair and walking was becoming just too much for him. We had known for the last few months that we were on borrowed time, but it has still been just the most awful week.  We both miss him so, so much.  He did everything with us and was just so much fun.  As the old adage goes, a house is not a home without a child or a dog.  So true.  It is just so empty here, and the boat as well.

To make matters worse, we lost a good friend yesterday, who had been fighting cancer for the last two and a half years.

Take care everyone.